1. VRC
  2. Competitions
  3. The VRC Competition

VRC Drive Team Training Course: 2023-24, Over Under

This training course is designed to teach VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team members the nuances of the VRC game rules and how VRC tournaments are run. Students are expected to understand the rules of the game, and to advocate for themselves if they feel the rules are being misapplied or misunderstood by the Head Referee or other event personnel. This course takes approximately 5 hours to complete.

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Unit 1: VRC Over Under Terms and Field Setup

Introduction

Throughout this course, you will find links to external resources that include important information for drive team members. Please take time to read the identified sections of each resource before moving on to the unit exam.

This unit introduces the 2023-24 VRC game, called Over Under, and provides general and game-specific definitions for competitions that run using the Over Under rules.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Over Under game field and object layout
  • Define general terms for VRC games
  • Recognize the differences between match types and their autonomous and driver-controlled periods
  • Classify rule violations as major or minor violations
  • Determine whether a violation is match affecting or not
  • Define key terms for VRC Over Under

VRC Over Under Terms and Field Layout

VEX Robotics Competition Over Under is played on a 12’x12’ square field, set up as illustrated below.

In Head-to-Head Matches, two (2) Alliances—one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue,” composed of two (2) Teams each—compete in Matches consisting of a fifteen-second (0:15) Autonomous Period followed by a one minute and forty-five-second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.

The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring Triballs in Goals and by Elevating at the end of the Match. Alliances can also earn Autonomous Win Points for completing a specific set of tasks during the Autonomous Period, and an Autonomous Bonus for scoring the most points during the Autonomous Period.

Teams may also compete in Robot Skills Matches, where one (1) Robot tries to score as many points as possible.

Read the first four segments of Section 2—"The Game," "Field Overview," "General Definitions," & "Game-Specific Definitions"—of the VRC Over Under game manual now, and stop when you get to the segment titled “Scoring.”

  • Learn about the field and game objects in VRC Over Under and their locations on the field
  • Read the general definitions that apply to most VRC games regardless of the season, including the variety of Match types
  • Review how a Head Referee determines when a Violation is Match Affecting and what the penalties for rule Violations should be
  • Learn the terms specific to VRC Over Under 

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 2: VRC Over Under Scoring

Introduction

This unit describes how and when teams and alliances can earn points in VRC Over Under.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • Evaluate whether a Triball is scored in a Goal or Offensive Zone
  • Identify the Elevation Tier achieved by each Robot
  • Determine whether a team or alliance has earned an autonomous win point and/or autonomous bonus
  • Calculate points earned by a team or alliance during a match

VRC Over Under Scoring

Alliances and Teams earn points in VRC Over Under by Scoring Triballs in Goals and Offensive Zones, Elevating, and winning the Autonomous Bonus. Each of these ways to score has specific criteria that must be met for points to be awarded.

Read the next segment of Section 2—"Scoring"—of the VRC Over Under game manual now, and stop when you reach the segment titled “Safety Rules.”

  • Learn the point value assigned to each scoring method in Over Under
  • Review the criteria for points to be earned for each of the scoring methods in Over Under
  • Read about how an Alliance earns the Autonomous Bonus or an Autonomous Win Point in a Match

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 3: VRC Safety and General Rules

Introduction

This unit introduces the safety rules for VRC events, and reviews the general rules that apply to most or all VRC games.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • Identify situations in which a robot should be disabled
  • Differentiate between student-centered and non-student-centered behaviors
  • List the requirements for teams before and during matches
  • Recognize general interactions that are permitted and disallowed during the autonomous and driver-controlled periods
  • Compare and contrast expected robot interactions with destructive robot interactions
  • Determine which robot gets the “benefit of the doubt” in a complex robot interaction
  • Understand the correct penalties when a team forces an opponent into a possible violation
  • Describe how a VRC Referee recognizes Holding during a match, and when Holding becomes a rule violation

VRC Safety and General Rules

The VRC rules for safety and general gameplay are rarely modified, and provide consistency and continuity for teams across competition seasons. These rules establish a baseline for expectations of team behavior and robot operations at an event.

Read the next two segments of Section 2—"Safety Rules" and "General Game Rules"—of the VRC Over Under game manual now, and stop when you get to the segment titled “Specific Game Rules.”

  • Review the safety rules that apply to teams and robots, and learn that robots may be disabled if their operations are deemed unsafe by the Head Referee (rules <S1> through <S4>)
  • Recognize that everything teams do in VRC is expected to be Student-centered, and that all behavior should be respectful and professional (rules <G1>, <G2>, and <G4>)
  • Read about the requirements for robots and teams before and during matches (rules <G5> through <G8>, and <G10>) including what’s allowed in an Alliance Station
  • Learn about the actions and interactions that are allowed during specific game periods (rules <G9>, <G11>, and <G12>)
  • Recognize that some defensive strategies—such as Holding—are allowed in limited forms in VRC gameplay, but destructive strategies—such as intentional tipping or entanglement—are always prohibited (rules <G13> through <G17>)

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 4: VRC Over Under Specific Game Rules

Introduction

This unit introduces the specific rules that govern gameplay in VRC Over Under matches. 

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • List the requirements for a robot at the beginning of a Over Under match
  • Summarize the rules for expansion in Over Under
  • Describe what happens to a Triball that leaves the field during match play
  • Recall what happens to preloads if a robot is not present for a match
  • Explain the penalties associated with causing an opponent to become entangled with a net
  • Describe correct use of Over Under match load Triballs
  • Determine whether a robot has committed a major or minor violation of the possession limit based on its actions
  • Explain when a Robot can and cannot break the plane of their opponent’s Goal
  • Identify field and game objects that cannot be contacted by robots during the autonomous period
  • List the actions that are prohibited during the final 30 seconds of the Match

VRC Over Under Specific Game Rules

The specific game rules for VRC Over Under provide requirements and limitations on how a Robot can interact with Field Elements and game objects. Because each season’s game is different, rules in this section of the Game Manual change significantly from season to season.

Read the final segment of Section 2—"Specific Game Rules"—of the VRC Over Under game manual now, and stop when you get to Section 3: The Robot.

  • Review the list of requirements for Robot starting positions (rule <SG1>)
  • Discover the limits on horizontal and vertical expansion during a Match (rule <SG2>)
  • Learn what happens when a Triball leaves the field, and when a penalty might be appropriate (rule <SG3>)
  • Read the options for use of Preloads (rule <SG4>)
  • Learn the required response to a Robot that becomes Entangled in a net (rule <SG5>)
  • Recognize the right and wrong ways to introduce Match Loads (rule <SG6>)
  • Learn how Teams can avoid Major Violations of the Possession limit (rule <SG7>)
  • Discover when a Robot is permitted to break the plane of their opponent’s Goal (rule <SG8>)
  • Find out which Field Elements and game objects are off-limits during the Autonomous Period (rule <SG9> & <SG10)
  • Review the actions that are prohibited during the final 30 seconds of a non-Skills Match (rule <SG11>)

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 5: VRC Over Under Robot Inspection Rules

Introduction

This unit presents the Robot and Robot inspection rules.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a referee should be able to:

  • Discuss the Robot inspection process 
  • Identify the appropriate actions when a Robot fails to pass inspection or is later found to be in Violation of an inspection rule
  • Describe unsafe Robot mechanisms and behaviors that are not allowed in VRC Over Under
  • Identify the correct tool to determine whether a Robot meets Robot size requirements
  • Recognize the basic materials allowed in construction of Over Under Robots
  • Explain why the Robot power button must be accessible during a Match 
  • Determine whether a Robot’s license plates are appropriate for a specific Match
  • Calculate whether a Robot is within the overall power limit

VRC Over Under Robot Inspection Rules

The Robot and Robot inspection rules impose limitations on the components that may be used when building a Robot to compete in VRC Over Under. VRC is a “closed” system that intentionally limits the variety of parts available to Teams, both to simplify the rules and ensure that emerging teams have ways to be competitive. The closed nature of VRC also provides an additional layer of constraints that Teams must analyze and work within to “beat” the game and competitors.

Teams should familiarize themselves with the Robot Inspection rules and use them as a guide to ensure their Robot meets all requirements. 

Read Section 3—"The Robot"—of the VRC Over Under game manual now, and stop when you get to Section 4: The Tournament.

  • Learn that Robots must be student-centered, and must be designed, built, and programmed by Student Team members (rule <R2>)
  • Read that Robots can’t compete until they pass inspection, and learn what happens when a Robot doesn’t pass inspection or is found to be in Violation of an inspection rule during the event (rule <R3>)
  • Review the list of mechanisms and components that are disallowed for safety (rule <R5>)
  • Review the Robot size limits, learn how to decide when a Robot is oversized, and Discover which specific tool should be used for official size rulings (rule <R4>)
  • Read the rules that govern allowable materials & quantities
  • Learn the limits on power from motors (rule <R12>)
  • Note the list of legal pneumatic components, and review the linked Pneumatics Summary document (rule <R7i>)
  • Learn about Robot license plates, and which plates should and should not be visible during a Match (rule <R9>)
  • Read that Teams who intentionally or knowingly circumvent or violate rules to gain an advantage may be in Violation of rule <G1> (rule <R27>) 

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 6: VRC Tournament Rules

Introduction

This unit explores the roles, definitions, and processes of a VRC tournament. 

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • Describe the authority and and responsibilities of a Head Referee during an event
  • Recognize how and when a Team can appeal a Head Referee’s ruling
  • Identify the minimum requirements for a Team to get a score for a Match
  • Understand the correct penalty when a Team delays the start of a Match
  • Determine whether a specific Match should be replayed
  • Identify which Teams have the right to place their Robots last
  • List the effects of a Disqualification on a Team or Alliance
  • Summarize the Alliance Selection process
  • Recall the mechanics of an Elimination bracket, and which Matches are played as Best of 3 vs Best of 1
  • Describe the requirements and tolerances for Match fields and field elements

VRC Tournament Rules

VRC Tournament roles, definitions, and rules remain consistent across most competition seasons. They govern how an event operates, and many of the rules govern behind-the-scenes operations of the event.

Read Section 4—"The Tournament"—of the VRC Over Under game manual now, and stop when you get to Appendix A.

  • Review the scope of the Head Referee’s authority and responsibilities (rule <T1>)
  • Learn the actions a team must take if they wish to appeal a score or ruling made by the Head Referee (rule <T3>)
  • Learn whether a referee may review Match videos to help determine a score or ruling (rule <T3a>)
  • Review the minimum requirement for a Team to get a score for a Match (rule <T5>)
  • Discover what should happen when a Team delays the Match start (rule <T6>)
  • Explore the extreme circumstances that might warrant a Match replay (rule <T7>)
  • Read the potential effects of a Match Disqualification on a Team or Alliance (rule <T8>)
  • Learn that field elements have allowed tolerances, and that referees should check everything before each match (rule <T10>)
  • Learn which Teams have the right to place their Robot on the field last (rule <T12>)
  • Review the mechanics of Alliance Selection and the repercussions of a declined Alliance invitation (rules <T17> & <T18>)
  • Learn the flow of Elimination Matches, including brackets, time outs, & Bo1/Bo3 (rules <T19> through <T21> and rule <T9>)
  • Read the requirements for consistency across field types at an event (rules <T22> through <T24> and rule <T11>)

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 7: VRC Over Under Robot Skills Challenge Rules

Introduction

This unit provides an overview of rules for the Robot Skills Challenge at VRC Over Under events. 

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • Describe the two types of Robot Skills Challenge Match
  • List the changes to the standard field setup for Robot Skills Challenge Matches
  • Identify the legal starting positions for Robot Skills Challenge Matches
  • Indicate which of the Goals, Elevation Bars, and areas of the field a team may utilize during a Robot Skills Challenge Match
  • Summarize how scoring a Robot Skills Challenge Match differs from scoring a Qualification or Elimination Match
  • Describe how a Team can use Skills Stop Time
  • Determine whether a Team has utilized all of their opportunities for Robot Skills Challenge Matches

VRC Over Under Robot Skills Challenge Rules

Most VRC tournaments offer teams opportunities to compete in the Robot Skills Challenge, and some tournaments are in-person or live-remote Skills Only events. Participation in the Robot Skills Competition is a requirement for some Judged and performance-based awards at VRC events.

Read Appendix B—"Robot Skills Challenge"—of the VRC Over Under game manual now, and stop when you reach Appendix C.

  • Learn about the two varieties of Robot Skills Challenge Matches, and that most game rules are the same as in Head-to-Head Matches
  • Discover the differences in field setup between Head-to-Head and Robot Skills Challenge Matches
  • Review the rules for starting positions & Alliance Stations (rule <RSC2>)
  • Learn that in Robot Skills Challenge Matches, Teams play and score as if they are on the red Alliance (rule <RSC4>)
  • Recognize that there are no movement restrictions in Robot Skills Challenge Matches (rule <RSC4>)
  • Discover how Elevation points are awarded in Robot Skills Challenge Matches (rule <RSC5>)
  • Review how and when a Team can receive a Skills Stop Time for a Match
  • Recall that all Teams will be given the opportunity to play a specific number of each type of Robot Skills Match

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 8: VRC Game Manual Updates and the Q&A System

Introduction

This unit assists students in understanding when Game Manual updates occur and how to utilize the Q&A System.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • Predict dates of important updates to the Over Under game manual
  • Locate and use the Official VRC Q&A system

VRC Game Manual Updates and the Q&A System

Return to the VRC Over Under game manual and read Section 1.

  • Read about the philosophy and intent of the rules, and their focus on student exploration
  • Note the schedule of planned updates to the Game Manual over the season
  • Learn the location and importance of the official VRC Question & Answer system

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 9: Code of Conduct/Student Centered Policies

Introduction

This unit describes the REC Foundation Code of Conduct and Student Centered Policies.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a student should be able to:

  • Describe the Code of Conduct policy
  • Explain the Student Centered Policy
  • Understand what may happen when violations occur

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Code of Conduct/Student Centered Policies

The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation considers the positive, respectful, and ethical conduct of all students, teachers, mentors, parents, and other event attendees an important and essential component of all REC Foundation-sanctioned events.

Read the Code of Conduct and Student-Centered Policy in the REC Library.

  • Learn the Code of Conduct process
  • Review the Violation Resolution Process
  • Read the descriptions of student-centered vs. non student-centered

That’s it! You’re now ready to take the final Unit Quiz and proceed on to the final exam for this course. If you need to refer back to the content referenced in this course during the season, it’s all available in the VRC Over Under game manual.

VRC Drive Team Training Course Final Exam

Congratulations! You've reached the end of the course, and are ready to assess your knowledge in the final exam. Click this link to proceed to the final exam.